Irrigation associations coping with drought: The case of four irrigation districts in eastern spain

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the strategies developed by water users' associations in Spain to overcome drought in a context of structural scarcity due to geographical conditions and from the development of expansionary irrigation policies. This analysis is based on interviews with farmers and representatives of water user's associations in four selected irrigation districts placed in the Valencia Region. The work demonstrates that in a relatively small area of the Mediterranean there are very different levels of vulnerability, generally related to the origin and diversity of water resources. Diversification of resources and hydraulic interconnection of districts, which allows for water management flexibility, appear to be the best way to improve drought resilience in the area. However, some institutional and environmental risks of these strategies are also outlined.